Vehicle collision damage reduction system

Abstract

A vehicle collision damage reduction system is provided. The system works by detecting the relative speed between the vehicle and an object, such as another vehicle. A danger level is calculated based on parameters such as speed and distance to the object; the danger level could be at an “emergency level” or at some lower level. Based on the danger level, different corrective measures and the degree of the corrective measures can be adjusted to attempt to minimize occupant injury. For example, the airbag can be adjusted to better protect the occupant, a pre-tensioner can be activated at a certain level, and the inclination of a child restraint seat may be adjusted as well.

We claim:  
     
       1. A vehicle collision damage reduction system comprising: 
       means for sequentially detecting distance information to an object to be impacted moving relatively;  
       means for determining a collision danger level using the distance information;  
       means for absorbing collision energy in a vehicle structure formed to support part of the vehicle structure and absorbing collision energy applied thereto in a collision; and  
       means for controlling the collision absorbing energy means by outputting an operational command, before the collision, on the basis of either the object detecting means or the collision danger level means, wherein the collision energy absorbing means is an airbag for at least a portion of the vehicle structure, the airbag being inflatable, before a collision, by an operational command from the controlling means and deforming so as to absorb collision energy applied thereto when the vehicle structure deforms at the collision and wherein the expansion rate or the energy absorbing amount of the airbag is adjustable in response to the collision danger level.  
     
     
       2. A vehicle collision damage reduction system comprising: 
       an object detector for detecting distance information to an object to be impacted by the vehicle;  
       an electronic control unit for using the distance information and speed information of at least the speed of the vehicle to determine a collision danger level;  
       an airbag positioned to support a portion of the vehicle structure for absorbing collision energy applied thereto in a collision, the airbag being inflatable in response to a signal from the electronic control unit, wherein the expansion rate or the energy absorbing amount of the airbag vehicle structure is changed in stages in response to the collision danger level determined by the electronic control unit.  
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the object detector sequentially detects distance information to an object to be impacted moving relatively. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the airbag is positioned to absorb the impact energy applied to the vehicle in a substantially head on collision. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the airbag is positioned to support part of the energy absorbing structure of the crushable zone of a vehicle structure. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the airbag is accommodated in a case that also absorbs a part of the collision energy. 
     
     
       7. A vehicle collision damage reduction system comprising: 
       an object detector for sequentially detecting distance information to an object to be impacted moving relatively; and  
       an electronic control unit for determining a collision danger level using the distance information and for outputting an operational command, before a collision, to activate a safety device in response to the collision danger level, wherein the safety device comprises an airbag positioned to support part of a vehicle structure for absorbing collision energy applied thereto in the collision, the airbag being inflatable, before the collision, by the operational command from the electronic control unit and deforming so as to absorb collision energy applied thereto when the vehicle structure deforms at the collision, wherein the expansion rate or the energy absorbing amount of the airbag is adjustable in response to the collision danger level.  
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the airbag is positioned to absorb impact energy applied to the vehicle in a substantially head on collision. 
     
     
       9. A vehicle collision damage reduction system comprising: 
       an object detector for sequentially detecting distance information to an object to be impacted moving relatively; and  
       an electronic control unit for determining a collision danger level using the distance information and for outputting an operational command, before a collision, to activate a safety device in response to the collision danger level, wherein the safety device comprises an airbag for absorbing collision energy in a vehicle structure formed to support part of the vehicle and for absorbing collision energy applied thereto in the collision, the airbag being inflatable, before the collision, by the operational command from the electronic control unit and deforming so as to absorb collision energy applied thereto when the vehicle structure deforms at the collision, wherein the expansion rate or the energy absorbing amount of the airbag for the vehicle structure is changed in stages in response to the collision danger level obtained from the electronic control unit.